Iranian Refugee

The trial was supposed to commence on Tuesday however it was deferred because police prosecution were unable to organise witnesses in time.

Sawari and his lawyer Loani Henao appeared before Magistrate Mekeo Gauli today.

With the deferral of the trial, the court told police prosecution to make copies of the state witnesses to Sawari's lawyers next week.

His bail of K1,000 has been extended and he is to continue reporting to the Waigani District Court registry.

Sawari and his lawyer appeared in the grade 5 court on Friday before Magistrate Mekeo Gauli.

He was formally arraigned, or had his charges read to him in court, where he pleaded not guilty. A trial will be conducted next Tuesday.

The 21-year-old was arrested and charged for providing false information for the purpose of obtaining a PNG passport from the PNG Immigration and Citizen Services Authority, a charge that falls under section 16 (1) of the Passport Act of 1982.

Magistrate Alex Kalandi granted bail to the defendant after he spent five nights in remand at the Bomana Correctional Institute.

His lawyer Loani Henao is now arranging payment of bail to be paid before his client can be released from the District Court precinct.

His guarantor Father Francis Xavier of the St Joseph’s parish will pay a fee of K500. He has been ordered to make sure Sawari complies to all his bail conditions. He will also accomodate Sawari in Port Moresby until his case is fully dealt by the court.

“Fiji has deported this person on the basis that his passport was invalid, as is their right. We will receive him and take the necessary steps to ensure that he is properly questioned and, if appropriate, brought before the courts, noting he is a refugee who has also had mental health issues,” stated Pato.

“The PNG immigration and Citizenship Service Authority is taking steps to tighten the assessment of passport and travel document applications, including additional checks around identity.

The refugee arrived via Honiara at around 12:10pm today on an Air Niugini flight from Fiji. Media personnel are still waiting for the release of the refugee to question him since midday.

 It's hours now and still the authorities are yet to release him. It is understood that immigration officers are interrogating him. The refugee, Loghman Sawari, 21 from Iran fled to Fiji using a PNG passport and had misleading information on his Immigration Arrival Card.

"This is the end for me," said Loghman Sawari, whose time in PNG he claims has been punctuated by beatings, bullying, imprisonment, illness, suicide attempts and living on the street in Lae, one of the country's most dangerous cities.

The 21-year-old Ahwazi Arab managed to board a plane under a false name after he said he was threatened by a PNG immigration official and lost hope of being resettled in the United States under President Donald Trump.

Last week, the woman locked herself in the family's accommodation unit and set it alight.

Security guards rescued her before flames destroyed the building.

The woman has now been placed under the care of the Immigration Department controlled mental health unit on Nauru.

Shirdel said his 30-year-old wife, Fatima, did not keep her desperation about life on Nauru secret.

He said there had been previous attempts at self harm, but not like last week.